What is erosion?

Erosion refers to the natural process by which soil, rock, and other surface materials are removed from one location and transported to another by various forces, primarily wind, water, and ice. This process plays a significant role in shaping landscapes and can significantly impact ecosystems and human activities. Understanding erosion is crucial for developing effective sedimentation and erosion control practices, especially in construction and land use planning.

The other options pertain to related concepts but do not accurately define erosion. One mentions a technique for sedimentation control, which is a consequence or response to erosion rather than the definition itself. Another speaks about sedimentation, which is the process of particles settling in water, and while it's related to erosion, it describes a different process. The last choice describes soil fertility enhancement methods, which is an entirely separate subject. Therefore, the correct distinction of erosion as the movement of soil or rock and its transportation makes the first choice the accurate answer.